Dodgers president shuts down sale rumors after Mark Walter’s $12.5B Lakers deal

Los Angeles Dodgers president Stan Kasten spoke out on Friday to debunk rumors surrounding the potential sale of the franchise under billionaire owner Mark Walter. Addressing reporters on the field prior to the Dodgers' game against Pittsburgh, Kasten strongly asserted that "the Dodgers are not being sold. They’re not for sale. There’s no process that has been started to sell it, period."

Speculation regarding Walter's intentions began this month after he agreed to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers from entrepreneurs Josh Kushner and Bob Iger in a record-breaking $12.5 billion deal, according to a source familiar with the terms. Walter had already taken a controlling interest in the Lakers franchise when he purchased it from the Buss family the previous year.

Kasten emphasized the significance of the Dodgers to Walter, stating, "The Lakers thing? The Lakers were important to him too, but it’s kind of an extraordinary opportunity, which he took." Multiple media outlets last month reported that Walter's business empire is under investigation by federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission for tax fraud. However, Kasten dismissed these concerns, declaring, "I know nothing involving the Dodgers is part of the investigation."

66-year-old Walter, who is based in Chicago as CEO of Guggenheim Partners, has overseen a period of success for the Dodgers, including three World Series championships in six seasons and high-profile contracts with players like four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani. Kasten praised Walter's ownership, saying, "I think Mark has done an extraordinary job as an owner" and expressed confidence that this positive trajectory would continue in the future.